Any of us who have walked on most any beach following an oil spill near or far have had the unpleasant experience of stepping on tarballs, or sticky little marble-size globs of oil, and carrying these annoying globs on our shoes or feet to unintended destinations. Following the April 2010 Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration provided a fact sheet noting that tarballs on the beaches are not a health hazard. However, scientists from the Auburn University Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture have gathered evidence to the contrary.

Associate Professor Covia Arias, PhD, and colleagues found bacteria, including Vibrio vulnificus, in tarballs examined from the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Vibrio is the leading cause of death associated with seafood consumption in the United States and is most usually acquired by eating raw oysters. Populations vulnerable to this infection include those with liver disease or cancer or anyone who is immunocompromised. Arias notes that persons who are immunocompromised can also acquire Vibrio through wounds. So, stepping on what was thought to be a harmless glob of oil can lead to serious infections. Arias notes that this finding is certainly of concern to public health.

Additionally, the tarballs contained a significantly greater concentration of Vibrio than did sand or seawater analyzed from the same area. Arias notes that her concern is that people be made aware that the tarballs resulting from oil spills can act as bacterial reservoirs for this and perhaps other human pathogens.

Source: Creamer J. Auburn scientists find tarballs are better left alone. Available at http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/4211. Accessed June 21, 2012.

Submitted by: Robin E. Pattillo, PhD, RN, CNL, News Editor at [email protected].